India's Current & Future UAVs & UCAVs

[WolfPack86]

एक बड़ा डिफेंस निर्यात हुआ भारत के नाम | Navy NASM-SR Test, Netra MK2 Radar, MUM-T for AMCA, Hermes

 

[itsme]

Check this out, I really hope our govt and private sector is watching this development.

This will provide a great capability for RR in Kashmir currently, even during LOC skirmishes.

 

[bhramos]

 

[SKC]

 

[SKC]

 

[brat4]

this is the config with no tail fin

 

[Butter Chicken]

Is this FUFA project?

 

[NutCracker]

Is this FUFA project?

I think so.

 

[NoobWannaLearn]

Is this FUFA project?

Nope the tachnology from this will be used in fufa so it's like fufa ji ke pitaji

 

[Hari Sud]

Forget Ghatak UAV; it is a few years away. There is a current menace of Chinese made very cheap load carrier drones which are used by Pakistanis to smuggle drugs and arms/ammunition into India. There are only few ways to stop them. These also have a military use for these.

The BSF; India’s frontier guards are unable to stop them. Truthfully, no system exists to detect and shoot down low flying drones. These drones when released in swarms cannot be dealt with. The Russians and Ukrainians have tried to stop them using very expensive missiles, if they can detect them and locate them. Chances are very few that all these drones carrying a kilo or two of explosives and flying low could be shot down. Yes, a targeted shot sometimes helps. A spoiled country like Ukraine could fire expensive missile, although they are not paying. India does not have that luxury.

There was a recent write up in defence media that a multi layered system is in the plan to stop the menace of swarm and tiny drones or commonly referred as loitering ammunition.

Indian Air Force Seeks Counter-Drone Systems and Micro Munitions – Indian Defence Research Wing

idrw.org

The above system’s success is not fully established. There were previously reports that an electronic countermeasures also exit which interferes with the frequency of communication hence misdirect the drone. Again success is 50-50.

It is the countermeasures against the drones, I am talking about. That is the more difficult part.

Yes, India has high quality and higher efficiency UAVs. That is beside the point. We need countermeasures real fast.

 

[Blademaster]

Forget Ghatak UAV; it is a few years away. There is a current menace of Chinese made very cheap load carrier drones which are used by Pakistanis to smuggle drugs and arms/ammunition into India. There are only few ways to stop them. These also have a military use for these.

The BSF; India’s frontier guards are unable to stop them. Truthfully, no system exists to detect and shoot down low flying drones. These drones when released in swarms cannot be dealt with. The Russians and Ukrainians have tried to stop them using very expensive missiles, if they can detect them and locate them. Chances are very few that all these drones carrying a kilo or two of explosives and flying low could be shot down. Yes, a targeted shot sometimes helps. A spoiled country like Ukraine could fire expensive missile, although they are not paying. India does not have that luxury.

There was a recent write up in defence media that a multi layered system is in the plan to stop the menace of swarm and tiny drones or commonly referred as loitering ammunition.

Indian Air Force Seeks Counter-Drone Systems and Micro Munitions – Indian Defence Research Wing

idrw.org

The above system’s success is not fully established. There were previously reports that an electronic countermeasures also exit which interferes with the frequency of communication hence misdirect the drone. Again success is 50-50.

It is the countermeasures against the drones, I am talking about. That is the more difficult part.

Yes, India has high quality and higher efficiency UAVs. That is beside the point. We need countermeasures real fast.

One way to take these UAVs down is to destroy their communication relay towers and prevent those UAVs from using Indian telecommunication relay towers and stations. Having a satellite receiver is very expensive and not something that Pakistan can afford on a widespread array.

 

[Hari Sud]

Layman’s view of the drone warfare in today’s Battlefield

The prevalence of drone warfare has reshaped modern battlefields, exemplified by conflicts such as the Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Hamas wars. Drones, also known as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), are now a standard feature in military operations, offering cost-effectiveness and expendability.

In the Ukraine-Russia conflict, despite lacking a traditional air force, Ukraine deployed missiles, rockets, and drones of NATO/US origin, utilizing advanced surveillance and targeting technologies like Starlink. Tiny drones, both singularly and in swarms, proved particularly impactful, demonstrating their ease of construction and effectiveness, even reaching Moscow from Ukraine. Russia used initially an Iranian built drone to enhance its offensive capability, but now has its own effective drones and UAVs.

The use of drones introduces an evolving challenge on the battlefield. While countermeasures exist, their effectiveness is still under scrutiny. Drones' ability to continuously surveil enemy territory with sophisticated electronics and cameras, coupled with air-to-ground missile capabilities, poses a significant threat to critical infrastructure and weapons systems.

The Indian Army is evaluating these battlefield technologies, with locally made drones and UAVs undergoing testing for potential induction. High-end UAVs, including a High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) model, are being explored, with some procurement from the US. These HALE UAVs offer extended endurance, flying above 30,000 feet, and can carry both surveillance equipment and lethal missiles. The alternative Medium-Altitude Long Endurance model fly below 30,000 feet and roughly execute the same functions as the superior kind but are easy to spot and shoot down.

India has placed a lot of its faith on Archer-NG MALE drone after the failure of DRDO’s TAPAS. The latter could neither reach the altitude or had the endurance, hence had to be placed on the back burner. There is a good possibility of acquiring US made MQ-9 HALE drone/UAV from them if the deal materializes. It is a high end drone where two of these have been leased by Indian Navy and they are very satisfied with its performance.

The Indian Army received its first delivery of offensive drones last year, enhancing its offensive capabilities while minimizing personnel risks. However, a potential drawback lies in the vulnerability of drone communication systems to enemy countermeasures, such as interference or incapacitation. The alternative is to use expensive missiles to shoot down cheap drones. That is what Ukraine is doing to shoot Russian drones; whereas for Ukraines, cost is a less consideration.

The continued development and integration of drones/UAVs into military operations mark an ongoing and significant aspect of modern warfare. Its development is the future. That map-cap rush for stealth technology in planes may become a lesser issue.

 

[Hari Sud]

Also please read the following:

Ukraine just got a new Western air-defense system meant to wipe out Russian drones by firing 1,000 rounds per minute

The German-made air-defense system can defend against aircraft, cruise missiles, and certain types of drones, its manufacturer says.

news.yahoo.com

 

[WolfPack86]

Adani Group Unveils India's First Medium Altitude, Long Endurance Drone

 

[WolfPack86]

Jatayu AIM-X Combat Drone: 'जटायु' की निगाहों से नहीं बचेगा चीन-पाकिस्तान | Unmanned Arm Vehicle

 

[WolfPack86]

पूर्ण disengagement Started in Himalayan | UAV mounted AK-47 by Private company.

 

[WolfPack86]

INDIAN ARMED FORCES ARE IN PROCESS TO ACQUIRE 91 ISRAELI HERON MK-2 DRONE IN THE COMING YEAR
Indian Armed Forces are in Process to acquire 91 Israeli Heron MK-2 drone in coming year. These UAVs will be Made in India wholly or partly under Indian Gov Make in India according to a report by Srinjoy Chowdhury of TimesNow.

The deal would be worth ₹30,000 crores and the Army is to get 27, IAF 42 & Navy 22 drones. Serious Efforts are made to conclude the deal before 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the code of conduct is announced. That is the first step the Election Commission will make before the Lok Sabha elections and after that, no major decisions can be taken. Which means that a decision, if not taken before early March (when the code of conduct is likely to be announced) will have to wait till June after the new government settles in. But whether that can actually happen remains to be seen.

Heron MK-2 has endurance of 40+ hrs & can fly at 35,000 ft alt. It can hold 500 Kg. of Payload of various Kinds to monitor various targets from considerable & safe distance. Indian Armed Forces are already operating various types of IAI drone since early 2000 including Searcher MK-1 & 2 Heron MK-1 & recently IAF inducted 4 Heron MK-2 in 2023.

Indian Armed Forces Are In Process To Acquire 91 Israeli Heron MK-2 Drone In The Coming Year

Indian Armed Forces are in Process to acquire 91 Israeli Heron MK-2 drone in coming year. These UAVs will be Made in India wholly or partly ...

www.indiandefensenews.in

 

[Blademaster]

How much does a Heron Mk2 drone cost?

 

[Hari Sud]

A general view of UAVs and UCAVs

Drones Are Changing How Wars Are Fought - WSJ

 

[WolfPack86]

संयुक्‍त राष्‍ट्र सुरक्षा परिषद में भारत को लेकर बड़ा ऐलान | Drishti-10 UAVs Order, B-21 Raider